Independent Aisle Containment System

ABSTRACT

An aisle containment system is disclosed. The aisle containment system includes a frame defined by wall beams, header frames, and a plurality of posts secured to the wall beams and header frames. The header frames extend the width of the frame and the wall beams extend the length of the frame. A plurality of blanking panels extend from the floor to one of the wall beams. The plurality of blanking panels have a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. Vertical stiffeners are positioned along at least one of the first side and the second side of each blanking panel. The blanking panels overlap adjacent blanking panels along the length of the frame. The blanking panels are laterally adjusted to fill openings in the aisle containment system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/006,867, filed on Jan. 26, 2016, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No.9,635,780, on Apr. 25, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/638,483, filed on Mar. 4, 2015, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,255,417, on Feb. 9, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/951,779, filed Mar. 12, 2014, the subjectmatter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aisle containment systems, and moreparticularly to an independent aisle containment system with adjustableblanking panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an aisle containment system withadjustable blanking panels. The aisle containment system includes aframe defined by wall beams, header frames, and a plurality of postssecured to the wall beams and header frames. The header frames extendthe width of the frame and the wall beams extend the length of theframe. A plurality of blanking panels extend from the floor to one ofthe wall beams. The blanking panels have a top, a bottom, a first sideand a second side. Vertical stiffeners are positioned along at least oneof the first side and the second side of each blanking panel. Eachblanking panel overlaps adjacent blanking panels along the length of theframe. The blanking panels are laterally adjusted, as necessary, to fillopenings in the aisle containment system.

The aisle containment system may also include a plurality of cabinetspositioned within the frame. The blanking panels are positioned adjacentthe cabinets for filling openings in the aisle containment system.

The aisle containment system may also include a plurality of adjustableabove cabinet blanking panels. The above cabinet blanking panels areinstalled above the plurality of cabinets for filling any openingsbetween the wall beams and the cabinets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the independent aisle containment systemof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the aisle containmentsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the corners of one end of the frame ofthe aisle containment system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corners of one end of the frame ofthe aisle containment system of FIG. 2 with post extending brackets.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the independent aisle containment systemof FIG. 1 with the sliding doors and header panels removed.

FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view of the independent aislecontainment system of FIG. 5 with the ceiling panels removed.

FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view of the independent aislecontainment system of FIG. 5 with the ceiling panels removed.

FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view of the independent aislecontainment system of FIG. 7 with part of the frame removed.

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of adjacent full height blankingpanels of the independent aisle containment system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the full height blanking panels andthe wall beam taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view of the full height blanking panels ofFIG. 9 taken along line 11-11 adjusted to illustrate a minimum width.

FIG. 11B is a cross sectional view of the full height blanking panels ofFIG. 9 taken along line 11-11.

FIG. 11C is a cross sectional view of the full height blanking panels ofFIG. 9 taken along line 11-11 adjusted to illustrate a maximum width.

FIG. 12 is a partial detailed perspective view of the full heightblanking panels secured to the wall beam of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the panel clamp, full height blankingpanels and wall beam of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a detailed perspective view of the above cabinet blankingpanels of the independent aisle containment system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the above cabinet blanking panelsof FIG. 14 taken along line 15-15.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the full height cabinet of FIG. 14taken along line 16-16.

FIG. 17A is a cross sectional view of the above cabinet blanking panelsof FIG. 14 taken along line 17-17 adjusted to illustrate a minimumwidth.

FIG. 17B is a cross sectional view of the above cabinet blanking panelsof FIG. 14 taken along line 17-17.

FIG. 17C is a cross sectional view of the above cabinet blanking panelsof FIG. 14 taken along line 17-17 adjusted to illustrate a maximumwidth.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the independent aisle containmentsystem of the present invention configured for hot aisle containment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to an independent aisle containmentsystem. The independent aisle containment system separates hot and coldair within a data center. The independent aisle containment system isself-supporting which enables cabinets to be easily added or removedfrom the aisle within a data center without disturbing the structure ofthe containment system.

FIGS. 1-17 illustrate the independent aisle containment system 20 usedwith a cold aisle configuration. The containment system 20 of thepresent invention includes a plurality of cabinets 50, 60, 70, and 80that vary in height, width and depth. As discussed below, the height ofthe frame is chosen based on the tallest cabinet intended to beinstalled in the containment system. Adjustable blanking panels arepositioned adjacent to cabinets and above cabinets to fill any gaps oropenings in the containment system.

The containment system 20 includes a frame 22 with wall beams 24, posts26, a sliding door system 28 with a header panel 30, and ceiling panels32. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the frame 22 of the containment system 20before cabinets are installed. The frame includes two ends with posts26, header frames 29 positioned between the posts 26, and two wall beams24 positioned between the ends. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wall beamsattach to the posts via brackets 25. The brackets 25 can be mounted attwo heights, for example 42 or 45 RU, to accommodate the height of thecabinets installed in the containment system. FIG. 4 illustrates theframe 22 with post extending brackets 27 that may be used if a tallerstructure, for example 48 or 52 RU, is required. Thus, the height of thecontainment system can be adjusted via the placement of the brackets 25or 27. The width of the containment system can be adjusted by varyingthe length of the header frame 29.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, the adjustable full height blanking panels100 extend from the floor 40 to the wall beam 24 of the containmentsystem 20. The full height blanking panels 100 include a top 102, abottom 104, a first side or edge 106 and a second side or edge 108. Eachfull height blanking panel 100 is constructed of translucent corrugatedplastic or sheet metal. The full height blanking panels 100 include avertical stiffener or frame 110 positioned along each side 106, 108 ofthe panel 100. The vertical stiffeners 110 are secured to the fullheight blanking panels 100 by fasteners 114, such as a bolt or rivet.The vertical stiffeners 110 extend the entire height of the full heightblanking panels 100. Each vertical stiffener 110 includes an outwardlyextending flange 112 that acts as a handle for positioning the fullheight blanking panels 100. The full height blanking panels 100 areinstalled in the containment system 20 such that the outwardly extendingflanges 112 of adjacent full height blanking panels 100 extend inopposite directions (see FIGS. 11A-C).

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, a channel 120 or track is secured tothe floor 40 of the data center. The width of the channel 120 isdesigned to accommodate two full height blanking panels 100 that arepositioned adjacent each other. The bottoms 104 of the full heightblanking panels 100 are positioned within the channel 120 and are freeto slide with respect to each other. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS.11A-C, the full height blanking panels 100 slide with respect to eachother to fill the open space in the containment system 20. FIG. 11Billustrates a cross sectional view of the adjacent full height blankingpanels 100 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A illustrates a minimum width that adjacent full height blankingpanels 100 could provide with the vertical stiffeners 110 along eachside 106, 108 of the full height blanking panels 100 positioned adjacenteach other. FIG. 11C illustrates a maximum width that adjacent fullheight blanking panels 100 could provide with the vertical stiffeners110 positioned along opposite sides 106, 108 of adjacent full heightblanking panels 100 positioned adjacent each other.

FIGS. 10, 12, and 13 illustrate detailed views of the wall beam 24, apanel clamp 130, a flap seal 150 and full height blanking panels 100.The panel clamp 130 is secured to the wall beam 24 of the containmentsystem 20 via fasteners 140, such as bolts. The panel clamp 130 includesa first end 132 with elongated openings 134 for receiving the fasteners140 and a second end 136 with an angled flange 138. The angled flange138 is designed to receive the flap seal 150, as discussed below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12, the staggered blanking panels 100slide up into a slot 142 between the wall beam 24 and the panel clamp130.

A flap seal 150 seals any openings between the full height blankingpanels 100 and the panel clamp 130. The flap seals 150 also prevent theblanking panels 100, 200 from rattling when installed in the containmentsystem 20. Each flap seal 150 is a rubber piece with a first free end152 and a second end 154. The second end 154 of the flap seal 150includes a U-shaped channel 156 that is configured to receive the flange138 at the second end 136 of the panel clamp 130. As illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 12, the flap seal 150 slides onto the flange 138 at thesecond end 136 of the panel clamp 130 to secure the flap seal 150 to thepanel clamp 130. As a result, the openings between the full heightblanking panels 100 and wall beams 24 in the containment system 20 aresealed.

FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate cabinet 60 and the flap seal 150 touching thetop of the cabinet to create a seal. As discussed above, the height ofthe frame in the containment system is based on the tallest cabinetinstalled in the containment system. Adjustable above cabinet blankingpanels 200 are used with cabinets 50 and 70 that have a height less thanthe height of the frame and the height of the tallest cabinet in thecontainment system. The adjustable above cabinet blanking panels 200 areillustrated in FIGS. 14-15 and 17. The above cabinet blanking panels 200include a top 202, a bottom 204, a first side 206 and a second side 208.The above cabinet blanking panels 200 are made from a translucentcorrugated plastic. The above cabinet blanking panels 200 are shorterpanels compared to the full height blanking panels 100 and therefore donot require vertical stiffeners.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a channel 220 is secured to the top of thecabinets 50 and 70 for receiving the bottom 204 of the above cabinetblanking panels 200. The width of the channel 220 is designed to receivetwo above cabinet blanking panels 200 that are positioned adjacent eachother.

FIG. 17B illustrates a cross sectional view of the adjacent abovecabinet blanking panels 200 of FIG. 14. The panels 200 are slid in thechannel 220 until they are positioned to engage the cabinet 60, 80 oneither side to fill the open space between the cabinets 50, 70 and thewall beam 24. FIG. 17A illustrates a cross sectional view of two abovecabinet blanking panels 200 adjusted to expand a minimum width betweencabinets. FIG. 17C illustrates a cross sectional view of two abovecabinet blanking panels 200 adjusted to expand to a maximum widthbetween cabinets.

During installation, after the specific height of the open space isdetermined, the above cabinet blanking panels 200 are cut with a knife,or other device, to a height that accommodates the open space. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, the above cabinet blanking panels 200 slidebetween the panel clamp 130 and the wall beam 24 similar to the fullheight blanking panels 100 illustrated in FIGS. 10-13. The panel clamp130 and flap seal 150 seal any opening between the above cabinetblanking panels 200 and the wall beams 24.

FIG. 18 illustrates the independent aisle containment system of thepresent invention used with a hot aisle configuration. The full heightblanking panels 100 and the above cabinet blanking panels 200 can beadjusted as described above to seal the open areas defined by theexisting cabinets installed in the containment system.

The independent aisle containment system of the present invention isversatile as the system may be adapted for the needs of the individualusers. The independent aisle containment system can be used withcabinets of different width, height, depth, or manufacturer. Theindependent aisle containment system can be installed at differentheights, with different aisle widths in either a hot or cold aisleconfiguration. The independent aisle containment system may be installedon a raised floor or a concrete floor. The independent aisle containmentsystem may also be constructed around rows of cabinets in an existingdata center.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth inthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way ofillustration only and not as limitation.

1. An aisle containment system comprising: a frame positioned on afloor, the frame defined by wall beams, header frames, and a pluralityof posts secured to the wall beams and header frames; a plurality ofblanking panels extending from the floor to one of the wall beams, theplurality of blanking panels having a top, a bottom, a first side and asecond side, wherein each blanking panel overlaps adjacent blankingpanels along the length of the frame and the blanking panels arelaterally adjusted to fill openings in the aisle containment system; anda panel clamp secured to one of the wall beams, wherein the securedpanel clamp defines a slot between one of the wall beams and the panelclamp for receiving the blanking panels.
 2. The aisle containment systemof claim 1, further comprising vertical stiffeners positioned along atleast one of the first side and the second side of each blanking panel,wherein each vertical stiffener having an outwardly extending flange forproviding a handle to adjust the blanking panel.
 3. The aislecontainment system of claim 2, wherein the outwardly extending flangesof adjacent blanking panels extend in opposite directions.
 4. The aislecontainment system of claim 2, wherein the vertical stiffeners arepositioned along the first side and the second side of each blankingpanel.
 5. The aisle containment system of claim 1, further comprising afloor channel positioned on the floor under the wall beams, wherein thebottom of each blanking panel is positioned within the floor channel,whereby adjacent blanking panels slide in the floor channel with respectto each other.
 6. The aisle containment system of claim 1, wherein thepanel clamp having a first end and a second end, the first end of thepanel clamp is adjustably secured to one of the wall beams and thesecond end of the panel clamp has an angled flange.
 7. The aislecontainment system of claim 6, wherein the first end of the panel clamphas elongated openings for receiving fasteners to secure the panel clampto one of the wall beams.
 8. The aisle containment system of claim 6,wherein the angled flange receives a flap seal to seal openings betweenthe blanking panels and the panel clamp in the aisle containment system.9. The aisle containment system of claim 1, further comprising ceilingpanels extending between the wall beams.
 10. An aisle containment systemcomprising: a frame having a first end and a second end, two postspositioned at each end, header frames extending a width of the frame andwall beams extending a length of the frame, wherein the header framesand the wall beams are secured to the posts; a plurality of cabinetspositioned within the frame; a plurality of blanking panels positionedadjacent the cabinets for filling openings in the aisle containmentsystem, wherein the blanking panels extend from a floor to one of thewall beams, the blanking panels having a top, a bottom, a first side anda second side; wherein each blanking panel overlaps adjacent blankingpanels, and the blanking panels are laterally adjusted to fill openingsin the aisle containment system; and a panel clamp secured to one of thewall beams; wherein the secured panel clamp defines a slot between oneof the wall beams and the panel clamp for receiving the blanking panels.11. The aisle containment system of claim 10, further comprisingvertical stiffeners positioned along at least one of the first side andthe second side of each blanking panel, wherein each vertical stiffenerhaving an outwardly extending flange for providing a handle to adjustthe blanking panel, the outwardly extending flanges of adjacent blankingpanels extend in opposite directions.
 12. The aisle containment systemof claim 11, wherein the vertical stiffeners are positioned along thefirst side and the second side of each blanking panel.
 13. The aislecontainment system of claim 10, further comprising a floor channelpositioned on the floor under the wall beams, wherein the bottom of eachblanking panel is positioned within the floor channel, whereby adjacentblanking panels slide in the floor channel with respect to each other.14. The aisle containment system of claim 10, wherein the panel clamphaving a first end and a second end, the first end of the panel clamp isadjustably secured to one of the wall beams and the second end of thepanel clamp has an angled flange.
 15. The aisle containment system ofclaim 14, wherein the first end of the panel clamp has elongatedopenings for receiving fasteners to secure the panel clamp to one of thewall beams.
 16. The aisle containment system of claim 14, wherein theangled flange receives a flap seal to seal openings between the blankingpanels and the panel clamp in the aisle containment system.
 17. Theaisle containment system of claim 10, further comprising ceiling panelsextending between the wall beams.